P0018: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A)

The engine control module checks whether the signal of the intake camshaft on bank 2 (sensor A) arrives at the expected crankshaft position, usually while the camshaft phaser is in its rest position. P0018 is set when the deviation stays outside a calibrated window. The camshaft is then out of step with the crankshaft: a timing belt or chain has jumped a tooth, the chain is stretched, the phaser is stuck at an end stop, or a reluctor wheel has slipped. On engines with a single camshaft, sensor A is simply the only camshaft sensor. Bank 2 exists only on V and boxer engines.

Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1, so it only exists on V or boxer engines.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Long cranking or hard starting
• Rough idle and loss of power
• Chain rattle at cold start on chain-driven engines
• Risk of valve damage on interference engines if the timing has jumped

Most likely causes

• Timing chain stretched, or belt or chain jumped a tooth
• Camshaft phaser stuck at an end stop, oil control valve or oil pressure faulty
• Incorrect assembly after a belt or chain replacement
• Camshaft or crankshaft sensor signal disturbed
• Reluctor wheel on crankshaft or camshaft slipped

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the connector and look for metal filings on the sensor
2. Compare both signals at the same time in live data and check any recent installation work.
3. See whether there is an RPM signal while cranking
4. Measure the signal with an oscilloscope if you can
5. Check the engine timing before replacing expensive parts

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: hard
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P0018 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 0: Subsystem depends on the code range
• 18: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0018?

Avoid driving: the engine can stall while moving. If the timing is off, continuing can cause serious damage.

What causes code P0018?

The most common causes are: timing chain stretched, or belt or chain jumped a tooth; camshaft phaser stuck at an end stop, oil control valve or oil pressure faulty; incorrect assembly after a belt or chain replacement.

Related codes

• P0016Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
• P0017Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)
• P0019Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B)
• P0009Engine Position System Performance Bank 2
• P0021"A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2)
• P0335Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit
• P0345Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 2

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 16OBDG05 Engine Diagnostics
• saabwisonline.com: dtc p0016 p0017 p0018 or p0019 without lf1 lfw
• static.nhtsa.gov: SB 10069486 0335

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.